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	Guacamole 7 July 2017

Welcome to the latest edition of the Guacamole newsletter. Get all the latest avocado industry news at your fingertips every fortnight!

Costa acquires North Queensland farms

Costa Group has acquired the Lankester Avocados orchards and packing operation with Macquarie Agricultural Funds Management (MAFM) for an undisclosed sum. The three Atherton farms have 130ha of avocados with another 60ha to be planted in the next year. Under the agreement, MAFM will purchase the farms and enter into a 20-year lease with Costa to operate them.

Jasper Farms sale

It is believed a deal has been struck for the sale of Australia’s biggest avocado farm, to an offshore buyer. The West Australian reported the sale of Neil Delroy’s Busselton-based Jasper Farms on 29 June, with speculation of a North American buyer. The terms of the sale were believed to be confidential and subject to the approval of the Foreign Investment Review Board.

South East Asian markets remain key

In the latest Hort Innovation Horticulture trade intelligence report for avocados, it has been reported export volumes increased 10% year-on-year, due to an increase in exports to Hong Kong.

Plant disease expert for biosecurity initiative

A renowned Australian scientist with more than 25 years’ experience in plant disease, biosecurity and microbiology is the new Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) director. Dr Jo Luck will lead the development and delivery of plant biosecurity research for PBRI – a new partnership between seven plant Research and Development Corporations (RDCs).

Global avocado market growth continues

European importers are searching for enough volume to meet rising demand, while Asian consumers are discovering avocados. Singapore and Malaysia are good markets for Australian avocados but there is competition from both Kenya and Mexico.

Cyber attack impacts on fresh food

A major cyber attack initially aimed at Ukrainian institutions spread globally, affecting several of the world's major fresh produce trade routes in the last few weeks. At the end of June, Fruitnet reported fresh fruit export bookings could not be made in Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and Peru. Click here for preventative steps and here for analysis.

and also here

Your chance to win $500

Avocados Australia is calling on industry stakeholders to complete our Online Communication Survey ‐ this enters you into the draw to win $500! We want to know your views, what is important to you and how we can do the best job of providing you with industry-relevant information. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. The survey closes on 14 July and the prize winner will be announced in the Guacamole.

New video on small tree initiative

Do you want to know more about the Small Tree – High Productivity Initiative aiming to transform the efficiency and productivity of Australian avocado orchards? You can read more about the initiative here and watch a newly-released video. This video is just one of the many resources in the BPR Library. You can log in (or request access!) via www.avocado.org.au/best-practice-resource/.

Marketing our Australian Avocados

One of the latest avocado marketing activities has been the inclusion of avocados recipes on MyFoodBook. The website promotes recipes to 2.8 million people monthly. The industry’s marketing is managed by Hort Innovation and funded by the avocado marketing levy. See the latest marketing activity helping Aussie consumers connect with (and eat!) Australian Avocados.

Is your avocado orchard on this map?

Help map Australia's avocado orchards! Click here to access the map and then either type your farm address into the search field or zoom into your area. The currently identified avocado orchards should be shaded green. If you think there are errors, or new orchards to include, click “edit” on the top left of the screen, then click the “comments” button and move your mouse back to the map to click on the spot where you need to leave a comment. You can then type in your valuable, up-to-date information.

Fire used to keep frost at bay. 03/07/17.

Orchardists in Victoria’s Echuca area spent the weekend battling subzero temperatures to defend growing crops from frost. Crossman Avocados’ Andrew Crossman lit fires the length of his orchard to try and warm the air.

Australian chef showcases avocado in India. 29/06/17.

Recreating Melbourne’s food and wine culture in India, Melburnian chef Scott Pickett hosted exclusive gastronomic experiences in Mumbai and Delhi, including an avocado masterclass.

David Jones to expand premium food range. 28/06/17.

David Jones has confirmed it will open a series of new food halls focused on providing premium food offerings. David Jones says its new venture is not a supermarket, but rather its own unique offering which will support Australian food suppliers.

New technology & consumers. 28/06/17.

The recent Australian Banana Congress heard about Gait Biometric Technology, which uses a three-dimensional scan of your body, to predict how you think and feel and more importantly how you spend your money.

Fresh Produce Alliance receives government grant. 27/06/17.

Western Australian-based Fresh Produce Alliance received AU$200,000 from the state government to develop a range of ready-to-eat health products for Asia's aged-care market. The company produces the Avovita range of smoothies and mousses.

High and stable Californian avocado prices. 05/07/17.

While California’s avocado crop will probably be less than half of last year’s output, growers have been enjoying a positive season thanks to high demand and less competition with Mexico.

Avocado brings $2.5 billion to Mexico. 04/07/17.

The export of avocados by APEAM generates an economic gain for the country of approximately 2.5 billion dollars, the group says. Mexico is the biggest producer of avocados in the world.

Can Ecuador capitalise on avocado? 03/07/17.

Wedged between avocado industry powerhouse Peru and up-and-comer Colombia, it makes perfect sense that Ecuador has the right conditions for the fruit but the country’s capitalisation on the fruit has been slothlike at best.

Avocado Oreo anyone? 03/07/17.

The latest flavour in the works at the Oreo factory includes your favourite healthy fat. That’s right: Avocado Oreos could soon be hitting the aisles at your supermarket. It’s all part of the #MyOreoCreation campaign to find new flavours.

Good weather boosts UK avocado demand. 29/06/17.

Warm weather, barbecues and lots of alfresco dining boosted UK avocado sales at the end of June. Strong demand has been experienced even though raw material prices have been higher than at this time last year.

Good fat can still be bad for you. 27/06/17.

A UCSF study has found liberal consumption of good fats – like those found in olive oil and avocados – may lead to fatty liver disease, a risk factor for metabolic disorders.

Mexican avocado exports reach $1.8 million. 26/06/17.

Mexican avocado exports are expected to reach 1.8 billion dollars by the end of the agricultural year. The avocado has positioned itself as one of Mexico's main export products to destinations such as Canada, France, El Salvador, Japan, United States.

Why are avocados so popular? 22/06/17

According to Fruitnet’s Aaron Heslehurst it’s because “a great product now has great availability and a hefty marketing machine behind it”. He says an interest in healthy eating, supply chain improvements and other factors also came into play.

Taiwan’s avocado experiment. 21/06/17.

In future, Taiwan might open an experimental base for avocado cultivation in Yangzhou. The initial plan is for 13ha of plantings. Once breeding is complete, future plans are for 2000 acres of trees.

Avocado grower study group workshops

All growers! Come along to an avocado study group workshop hosted by Simon Newett, QDAF, for access to knowledge that will lead to more consistent high yields of good-quality avocados.

Calendar

13 July – North Qld Study Group
26 July – Tristate Avocado Study Group, South Australia
27 July – Tristate Avocado Study Group, Victoria
17 August – CQ Avocado Study Group
6-8 Sept – Asia Fruit Logistica, Hong Kong
26-28 Sept – Science Protecting Plant Health, Brisbane
12 Oct – North Qld Study Group
2 Nov – CNSW Study Group
16 Nov – CQ Study Group
30 Nov – South Qld Study Group

2018
18-20 June - Hort Connections 2018

Guacamole has been funded through project AV15002 by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the avocado research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government.